The Way I See It

…may be different from the way you see it but then, that’s OK. This is America and we still have freedom of speech, don’t we?

The English language is rich with meaningful words and phrases, but it’s easier not to hunt for them. Sometimes a catch phrase will become popular and it’s sort of like a favorite candy–too much of it makes me feel ill. Take for instance, what so many lawmakers have latched onto: kick the can down the road. Please, no more kicking, The sound of that miserable can bumping across lexiconic rocks is beyond irritating. Why can’t they just say, procrastinate or I plan to dump the problem in the lap of my successor?

And then there’s a phrase, I misspoke. It simply means, I lied.  I guess that’s supposed to sound better. A close cousin is misrepresented the truth. All that means is, once again, lied, just a different way of saying it. I used to like the word notion; it reminded me of noggin and I liked it because it was an old-fashioned word. Well, it has been brought up to the present in a most unengaging way. Usually now, it means an idea that is frowned upon, or a faulty, childish impression. I don’t care if I never hear it again.

With all the wonderful words to choose from, words that more directly express an actuality, why can’t lawmakers and news people find them? Are they afraid to branch out into new territory and select imaginative, accurate, no-nonsense terms?

I like words. Some of my best friends are words. And, as of this moment, I need to quit procrastinating and get on with writing the sequel to Moonlight Can Be Murder. I hope to goodness Ned hasn’t picked up any political jargon or worn-out cliches or tired figures of speech. Anyhow, that’s the way I see it this morning. I need another cup of Folgers.